Page 40 (1/2)

The doors swished open She grabbed his arallery where Artemisians could await their transport This level was abandoned, just as she’d hoped Though it had been easy for Winter to gain access to the ports frouard in the palace above--it had taken little roan--the ports were supposed to be off-limits for the duration of the Earthens’ visit For the security of their ships and belongings, Levana had said, but Winter kneas really to prevent anyone fro to leave

The ports were quiet when they stepped onto thefloor s, and the cavernous walls echoed every footstep, every breath Winter iined she could hear her own thunderous heartbeat ricocheting back to her

She took off around the platforlancing toward the control booth, and though there remained a broken screen and a few dark stains on the wall, the technician’s body was gone To her knowledge, his replace to regain access to thesystem

Her attention swept down to the lower level and endless relief filled her to see the cargo untouched Though the ae had been taken to their suites, their gifts and trade goods had been left behind for retrieval at a later date

Winter spotted the box of Argentinian wine Her pace quickened

"Stars above," Jacin gru paper--"

"Paper," said Winter, scrao boxes, "is a most difficult resource to obtain The lu supplies I once had to trade a pair of silk slippers for half a dozen greeting cards, you know"

It was only partly true Most of the paper goods available in Artemisia’s shops were made froreith abundance in the agriculture sectors But ba, and even that paper was in limited supply

Winter was fond of paper She liked the crisp, tactile way it crinkled beneath her fingers

Jacin sat down on a plastic bin, his legs dangling over the edge In the serene solitude of the docks, Guard Jacin had withdrawn "You want to turn packing paper into greeting cards?"

"Oh, no," she said "I have no interest in the paper"

One eyebrow rose "The wine, then?"

Winter unlatched the shipping crate "Not the wine, either"

She held her breath and heaved open the lid It clattered against the next bin and Winter found herself staring into a large shipping crate with a layer of tight-packed wine bottles and loose bits of paper and no sign of the girl

Her heart plummeted

"What?" Jacin leaned forward to peer into the box His face took on a layer of concern "Princess?"

Her lips parted, then snapped shut again She turned in a slow circle, exairl could have sneaked into any of them